BLT sandwiches are one of the best fresh summer meals. With its perfect harmony of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes layered between slices of toasted bread, the BLT has earned its place as an all-time favorite. But what if you could take all that flavor and transform it into a fun, bite-sized appetizer? Here’s a recipe for BLT pinwheels that takes the classic sandwich and makes it bite sized, kid friendly and portable!
Pinwheels are definitely one of our go-to on the run meals, but they are also great for packing lunches, appetizer platters, or just a quick meal. In fact, these are voted a favorite recipe by everyone in our family- which is a rare occurrence.
What Are BLT Pinwheels?
BLT pinwheels are bite-sized rolls made by first spreading a creamy filling over a tortilla. It is then layered with cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, finally rolling up and slicing it into spiral rounds. These little swirls pack all the classic BLT flavors into a finger food format, thus, making them ideal for parties, lunches, or even a light dinner. With their simplicity and the ability to be prepared ahead of time, they are a lifesaver for busy hosts or weekday planners.
Ingredients for BLT Pinwheels
Making BLT pinwheels is incredibly straightforward. Here’s what you need:
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Tortillas: Homemade tortillas used in this recipe are soft, fresh, and delicious. Plus, there are zero preservatives or food additives!
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Cream Cheese Base: Softened cream cheese provides a creamy, tangy base that helps everything stick together. A bit of mayonnaise and ranch seasoning add extra moisture and flavor.
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Bacon: Crispy, cooked bacon is the heart of the BLT. Crumble it finely so it’s easy to roll. For quality and sustainability, opt for local farm fresh bacon if possible. Otherwise, if farm fresh is unattainable, try brands that produce organic bacon such as Pederson’s farms.
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Lettuce: Romaine lettuce offers crunch without too much moisture. Shred the lettuce for better distribution.
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Tomatoes: Roma, finely diced and drained, work best because of the meaty flesh and low water content.
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Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded works great. BLT pinwheels are already flavorful, but cheddar introduces a sharp, slightly nutty note that complements the salty bacon and contrasts nicely with the acidity of the tomato.
How to Make BLT Pinwheels
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Prepare the Spread: In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning.
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Cook the Bacon: Bake the bacon for quicker cooking and easier cleanup. Then, Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
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Dice the Vegetables: Chop the lettuce and tomatoes. Make sure tomatoes are well-drained to prevent sogginess.
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Assemble: Lay a tortilla flat and spread a thick, even layer of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes evenly over the surface.
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Roll: Tightly roll the tortilla from one end to the other, pressing gently to seal.
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Chill and Slice: Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps it firm up and makes slicing easier. After chilling, slice into 1-inch pinwheels using a sharp knife.
Tips for Perfect BLT Pinwheels
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Don’t Overstuff: Too much filling can cause the pinwheels to burst open or become messy. Therefore, keep layers thin and even.
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Use Dry Ingredients: Make sure tomatoes are drained and lettuce is dry to prevent the pinwheels from getting soggy.
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Chill Before Cutting: Chilling is key to maintaining their shape. If you’re short on time, even 15 minutes in the fridge helps.
When to Serve BLT Pinwheels
These tasty rolls are great for:
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Lunchboxes: Easy to pack and fun to eat, making them kid-friendly.
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Potlucks & Parties: Their bite-sized nature makes them a hit at social get togethers.
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Picnics: Easy to transport and no utensils required.
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Game Day Snacks: Serve them alongside wings or Sausage Beer Cheese Dip for a fun snack spread.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
BLT pinwheels are simple to prepare in less than one hour. This recipe yields 24 pinwheels, perfect for your next picnic, meal prep or appetizer. Any leftover pinwheels can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
BLT pinwheels bring both comfort and creativity to the table. Give them a try and watch them vanish before your eyes.
Here are some other fun pinwheel variations to try:
Italian Sub Pinwheels
Crab Rangoon Pinwheels
Roast beef Pinwheels
Sweet Chili Chicken Pinwheels
BLT Pinwheels
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Bacon
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup Romaine lettuce, shredded
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Ranch seasoning
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 Flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Lay the bacon slices on to a sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
- Remove from the sheet pan onto a paper towel lined plate to drain the grease and cool. Once cooled, chop into small pieces.
- In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until fluffy.
- Fold in the mayonnaise and ranch seasoning with a spatula.
- Lay the tortillas on a large work surface.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture generously over each of the tortillas.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes onto the tortillas.
- Tightly roll the tortillas and wrap with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap and slice each rolled tortilla into 6 slices.
- Serve immediately or keep refrigerated.
Nutrition
